Ryanair is famous for its strict luggage rules. Adding a checked-in bag can instantly turn your cheap flight into an expensive one, so finding a bag that fits the airline's free allowance can feel like a small victory. And one frequent flyer says she's finally cracked it after putting a newly updated cabin bag to the test on a packed work trip.

Showbiz reporter Fran Winston, who regularly travels between Dublin and London, says she's spent years refining her hand luggage choices to avoid excess fees. "Given the affordable prices, Ryanair is my go-to airline," she explained, "but with such tight baggage rules, you really do have to be precise."

Ryanair increased its free cabin bag size last year from 40cm x 20cm x 25cm to 40cm x 30cm x 20cm, giving passengers a little more room to play with. Fran tried out the Cabin Max Travel Hack 24L backpack, which was designed to meet the new dimensions and is currently priced at £34.95 at Amazon. It's also available at Cabin Max's website, where it's reduced from £40 to £35.

Fran tested the bag on a four-day work trip that included multiple outfit changes, two awards ceremonies and filming equipment. "It was the perfect chance to really put the bag through its paces," Fran said.

Fran noted that comfort was a key factor, particularly as she was travelling at the time with a broken foot. "A backpack was the only sensible option. I needed something comfortable and easy to carry, even when I was on crutches."

In terms of design, Fran described the bag as "stylish enough for work and travel", adding that the black exterior with rose-gold details made it feel smarter than many cabin backpacks. Inside, the bag opens fully, with a large main compartment, multiple internal pockets, side pockets for a water bottle and a front section for essentials like passports and keys.

However, she did flag one limitation. "The laptop pocket is really designed for a 13-inch device," she said. "My larger laptop didn't fit, so I laid it flat in the main compartment instead."

Despite packing filming kit, toiletries and several outfits, Fran said the bag held up well. "It was tight by the time I zipped it up, but it did close, and that's kind of the point. It's actually hard to overpack, which stops you going over the size limit."

The real test came at the airport. "Even packed to the brim, it slid straight into the sizer and fit neatly under the seat," she confirmed.

Fran added that with careful packing, the bag could easily suit a short break. "If you're smart with your wardrobe, it holds more than enough for a four-day trip."

And she's not the only customer impressed by the bag. One shopper wrote on Amazon, "Ideal underseat size, plenty of useful storage pockets and excellent quality. Perfect travel aid." While another person added, "Brilliant travel backpack. It fits within these [Ryanair and EasyJet] limits easily. Plenty of space inside for all your clothes. A couple of outside pockets each side for bottles. I find it of really good quality and extremely durable when packed with my holiday essentials. Carrying it is very comfortable. Durable handles that dont feel like they ll come apart."

Of course, nothing is perfect and a few people had issues with the bag's design. One person shared, "My only niggle is the front section. You need to open it all the way down to get into the main section, so if you've got loose bits, they can fall out. Not a deal-breaker, but worth bearing in mind when packing." And someone else added: "The only con for me is that the water bottle holder is not functional if you've filled the bag to the brim! It's not netted and is a smooth, foam material, the water bottle will keep sliding out which becomes a pain."

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